Video footage appears to show the charred wreckage of two American MC‑130J aircraft, which were blown up by US special forces during their complex mission to rescue a US airman missing for almost 48 hours.
Video footage of the wreckage of two US aircraft, destroyed during the rescue mission.
The MC‑130Js were part of the forward operation, but they became stuck or inoperable on soft terrain in Iran, leaving commanders with no choice but to destroy them to prevent them from falling into enemy hands, The New York Times reported.
Footage of the destruction was distributed by Iranian state TV on Sunday (Washington time), showing the deliberate demolition of the planes, which contain sensitive technology.
The aircraft – which cost more than $US100 million ($145 million) each – are designed to drop troops into hostile territory and extract them safely, The Wall Street Journal reported.
They can be refuelled in flight and are equipped with advanced sensors and heat-seeking systems.
The planes were destroyed to prevent sensitive technology from being captured by Iranian forces.